Students knit during a Saturday morning class at Warm Hearts Yarn in White Rock. Photo by Bonnie Gordon/ladailypost.com
By Bonnie J. Gordon
The local yarn shop is dear to the heart of many a knitter and since August, Warm Hearts Yarn has been providing local crafters with a place to call their own.
The store is located in White Rock at 13 Sherwood, near Smiths Food and Drugs Center.
Los Alamos native Katie Brousseau has been knitting and crocheting since the age of 9 and Warm Hearts Yarn grew out of her desire to share her enthusiasm for handwork with her hometown. It is her goal to provide high quality, affordable yarn and crafting supplies to her customers.
“I carry some beautiful luxury yarns, but I also carry some very affordable yarns that don’t sacrifice quality to low cost,” Brousseau said.
Things change with the seasons, featuring heavy weight wool and alpaca in the winter and lighter yarns like silk, cotton and bamboo as things warm up.
In addition to knitting and crocheting items, the store carries supplies for other crafts, such as beading and scrapbooking. Brousseau also stocks gift items, cards, unique handmade jewelry, and some very special dress up clothes sure to delight little girls.
Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon
Yarn is a sensual delight and the opportunity to see the colors and especially to feel the texture and drape is an experience that will never be duplicated on the Internet.
It’s the tactile involvement that draws knitters to their craft and choosing yarn in person is an important part of the experience.
Handcrafts, especially knitting and crocheting, have seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years, bringing many new crafters into the fold.
“So much of our lives are now spent in the digital world. It’s very satisfying to have something real and tangible to work with and to have a finished product at the end,” Brousseau said.
Education is an important goal at Warm Hearts Yarn. Brousseau is a former fourth grade teacher and she loves both teaching and learning. “I find it very rewarding to be passing on knitting and crochet. I’m really excited to be offering classes for children as well as adults,” she said.
Warm Hearts Yarn has a full schedule of classes lined up. See the schedule at http://www.warmheartsyarn.blogspot.com.
Upcoming classes will include Basic Spindle Spinning, and Beginning Knitting for Kids, as well as a Fabric and Flower Tutorial. One interesting series of classes explores different knitting techniques through the creation of a dishcloth.
“You don’t want to learn to cable while you’re making a sweater,” Brousseau pointed out.
One of the most important aspects of Warm Hearts Yarn is community. Everyone is welcome to share, learn, teach, and most importantly, interact with fellow crafters.
Warm Hearts Yarn is a wonderful place to hang out and knit in a comfortable atmosphere while sharing tips and ideas with fellow enthusiasts. The staff is happy to answer questions and offer advice. The tea pot is always on.
Store hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Visit online at http://www.warmheartsyarn.com, but be sure and stop by in person. In addition to finding great craft supplies and gifts, you’ll be welcomed into a great community of crafters.
Editor’s Note: The Los Alamos Daily Post will profile a local business each Sunday. To suggest a business, call 412-2233.
